the indefinite journey.

Become an aupair

I know a lot of people who, a year and a half later, are still confused about what it is that I do. Saying I’m an au pair is never enough, all they know is I’m staying with people who expect me to take care of their kids and I get to do fun stuff and my Instagram gets fed all these exciting photos . After a while, I just go with the “I’m a nanny” and leave it at that.

Being an au pair requires you living with a host family and taking care for the kids of the house. You will sometimes be the designated driver to all their activities and you’re in charge of helping with homework and making lunches. If you have older kids chances are you will be given a car or will be using the family car that is shared with you and your host parents.

Here are some of the requirements to be an au pair:

Be 18 – 26 years old

Have a driver’s licence from your country

Previous childcare experience (minimum of 200 hours)

You must have graduated from high school (matric certificate to South Africans)

No criminal record (this one should be obvious)

Be able to speak English (if English isn’t your first language, you will be able to take classes in the U.S.)

If you’re a dude reading this going ‘eh?!!’, you could totally be an au pair too. A lot of families prefer male au pairs if they have little boys.

You need to remember that not every story is perfect, sometimes it doesn’t work and you will need to rematch with a new family or sometimes you will have to go home, but when you find the perfect match you will know it, kind of like me, I love my family and extended with them. Being an au pair is a great opportunity for a gap year or two and if you’re looking to be independent, this is the perfect way to gain some independence.

I’ve had the greatest time discovering myself, experiencing something so far out of my comfort zone and being able to explore the beautiful cities around me.

I hope you choose AUPAIRCARE and find your own adventure wherever it is you get placed.

If you have any questions or concerns, maybe just someone to talk you through the process please feel free to email me: theindefinitejourney@gmail.com